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General news

Moroá community wants Kaduna govt to address insecurity

NAN-H-22
Farm
Kafanchan (Kaduna state), Jan. 6, 2018 (NAN) Mr Daniel Gaggah, the National President, Moro’a Development Association (MDA) has advised the Kaduna State Government to come up with a holistic strategy for addressing the security challenges in the area.
Gaggah gave the advice on Saturday while speaking at the Moro’a Annual Cultural celebration held at Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of the state.
He said the call became necessary owing to the need for the people of the area to return to their farms.
According to him, the security challenges in the area are having a negative impact on the way of life of the people.
“The people of Takad, Kagoro and Atyap chiefdoms are still battling with security challenges which if not checked would find their way back into our land.”
On education, he said although the disengagement of teachers in the state was with a view to reshaping the sector, a sizable number of teachers from the community were affected with many of them “still struggling to come to terms with”.
He, therefore, urged the state government to review its recruitment arrangements so that it would be able to re-absorb a significant number of disengaged indigenes of the community.
On agriculture, he urged the government to support the community to enable it to improve on the already high yielding crop varieties they were producing.
He identified such high-yielding crops as rice, ginger, groundnuts, Irish potatoes, soya beans, and Yam, among others.
“Our people are willing to key into government program that are aimed towards providing assistance to farmers in order to boost agricultural production in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
FDY/YEE
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General news

Xmas: Gov. Dickson urges Christians to pray for peace, security

Xmas: Gov. Dickson urges Christians to pray for peace, security
NAN-H-23
Prayers
By Christian Ogbonna
Yenagoa, Dec. 24, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has urged Christians to use the Christmas celebration to intensify prayers for peace and security in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Francis Agbo, in Yenagoa on Sunday.
It quoted Dickson saying prayer is necessary in the efforts to move the nation forward.
He urged Christians to live a Christ-like life, which he noted was a life of sacrifice, selfless service, love and forgiveness.
“The political leaders should also emulate Jesus Christ, who used his ministry for the good of all, by using their offices to advance the cause of the ordinary people.
“Service to man is service to God; he that serves man well, serves God well. Jesus Christ used his earthly ministry for the common good of humanity and above all, died for our sins.
“Our faith would have been in vain if Jesus had not sacrificed himself for us all.
“I therefore call on political actors and privileged Nigerians to always work for the good of the people and do things that would foster unity in the country,” the governor said.
Dickson further restated that 2018 was critical to finishing strong on the mandate of his administration.
“I advise the people in the state to as usual, support and collaborate with the government to keep delivering the dividends of democracy,” he said. (NAN)
OOC/DOR/MST
Edited by Nyisom Dore/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Security dictates NYSC’s low key POP

Security dictates NYSC’s low key POP
NAN-HG-5
Passing-out
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Dec. 21, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it held a low key passing-out ceremony nationwide for the 2016 Batch B Stream II set of corps members to ensure their safety by restricting movement.
Mr Bello Ballama, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday after addressing corps members at the Orientation Camp, Kubwa.
He said that the scheme has for some years observed a low key Passing-Out Parade (POP) in order not to risk the lives of corps members especially in parts of the country where it was not safe.
Ballama, however, assured that the scheme hoped to resume the usual annual passing-out ceremony as soon as it was safe to do so.
He urged the corps members to put into practice all they have learnt during the service year especially the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED).
Ballama also urged the corps members to remain good citizens, abide by the country’s laws and stay away from negative behaviour and crime.
“The corps members are the leaders of tomorrow and the service year has been a learning ground for them; they have learned a lot.
“We exposed them to so many training including SAED which is meant to teach them skills that will make them equipped for life after the service year.
“This should reduce their search for white collar jobs that is not available and make them more self-reliant and independent,” Ballama said.
Mr Anthony Dirisu, a corps member and graduate of Public Administration from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, said he achieved the aim of the service year by making friends from diverse cultures.
Dirisu hailed the aim of establishing the NYSC to promote national integration, adding that he has learned about other cultures and religions that he knew nothing about.
He said that although he joined the Agro-Allied skills training of the NYSC SAED programme he would still make effort to look for a job as he did not have the funds to start up any business.
“The training I received was enough for me to start my business if I get the loan.
“Although the NYSC has said we can use our certificate as collateral to get loan I cannot give out my certificate because I do not know how sincere the scheme is about that.
“I will hold unto my certificate and look for a job instead,” Dirisu said.
Miss Sabo Riticatmwa, a corps member and graduate of Leisure and Tourism Management from Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said the service year was a success for her as she learned the skill of cosmetology.
She said cosmetology was the art of soap making and detergent production, adding that although she had the skills to start a business lack of funds remained her challenge.
According to Riticatmwa, it is the funds to start this business that will be the issue and I cannot drop my certificate to get loan.
“I rather try my best to source for the funds I need to start the business rather than drop my certificate as collateral to get loan,” Riticatmwa said.
NAN reports that the NYSC had earlier told newsmen that corps members interested in obtaining loan facility could do so using their certificates as collateral.
The financial institutions offering loan facilities to corps members include Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BoI), the NYSC Foundation and Heritage Bank, among others.
Some of the institutions offer the facility at zero interest rate and corps members whose business plans are approved can get loan to the tune of N400,000 to N2 million.
A total of 4,411 corps members passed-out from the 2016 Batch B Stream II service year in the FCT.
However, one corps member died from a brief illness, while 25 corps members have been given an extension of service for various infractions. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Yobe Govt approves N1.4bn for education, security

Yobe Govt approves N1.4bn for education, security
NAN-H-26
Tuition
Damaturu, Dec. 20, 2017 (NAN) The Yobe Government says it has earmarked N1.4 billion to improve education and security in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mala Musti, made this known to newsmen shortly after the state Executive Council meeting in Damaturu on Wednesday.
Musti said the government had approved N972.3 million for payment of tuition fees of 840 students in Turkish International schools.
He said “government is committed to providing free and qualitative education to indigent students who are desirous of furthering their education’’.
The council also approved N350 million for the procurement of 20 Toyota Hilux four-wheel drive to be distributed as operational vehicles to security agencies in the state.
The meeting, which was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, said the vigilante and hunters groups would also be supported with the vehicles.
Similarly, the council approved N82 million for fencing, interlocking and gate house for the newly constructed government house banquet hall. (NAN)
MM/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Security challenges: I-GP briefs Buhari, may appear before Senate

Security challenges: I-GP briefs Buhari, may appear before Senate
NAN-H-3
Security
By Ismaila Chafe
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2017 (NAN) Inspector-General of Police (I-GP) Idris Ibrahim on Friday in Abuja updated President Muhammadu Buhari on security situation across the country.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the President, the I-GP said he might appear before the Senate ad hoc committee under the chairmanship of the Senate Deputy Whip, Francis Alimikhena, to probe him.
The Senate had served the I-GP an invitation letter on Oct. 16 to appear before the Alimikhena Committee on Nov. 1, but failed to honour the invitation.
Senate, however, insisted that the I-GP must appear next Tuesday.
Alimikhena told newsmen in Abuja that the committee received a letter from the I-GP’s lawyer, Alex Izyon, on Tuesday informing the committee that “it would amount to subjudice if the Inspector General of Police appears before the Senate committee on the same issue that is before the competent court of law”.
He said that the I-GP would be invited to appear before the Senate on Nov. 7 to offer explanations.
However, the I-GP stated that for the sake of having respect for the National Assembly, he might honour the Senate’s invitation as he was awaiting advice from the police’s legal team.
“These are legal issues. We are discussing with our legal team, obviously if there is need we are going to appear for the sake of having respect for the Senate, I will appear before them.
On the outcome of his meeting with the president, Idris said he briefed him on the efforts of the police to check criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices.
According to him, he also updated the president on the measures being taken to ensure a successful and peaceful governorship election in Anambra.
“Obviously I am here as usual to discuss with the commander in chief on the security challenges we are having and how we will face these security challenges adequately.
“The security challenges are, obviously, you know we are having elections in Anambra state and we are having challenges in various parts of the country especially some of these issues of kidnapping and these are things I discussed with the President, and the measures taken to address them squarely,’’ said the I-GP.
He revealed that water boats, helicopters and about 21,000 police officers would be deployed for the smooth conduct of the election.
“We are deploying a lot of police officers, almost about 21,000 police officers to be able to provide adequate security in the Anambra election.
“We are deploying our water boats to take care of the water ways, we are deploring our helicopters to take care of the aerial surveillance of the areas and we are deploying our conventional police men and special police units to take care of situations on ground.
“And by the grace of God we are going to have a successful and peaceful election in Anambra state,’’ Idris said.
The I-GP added that the Force Headquarters in Abuja had deployed special police unit to patrol the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway with a view to checking the menace of armed robbers and kidnappers along the route. (NAN)
SYC/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FG committed to peace, security for women, girls

FG committed to peace, security for women, girls
NAN-HG-5
Security
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Monday reassured women and girls of their security in the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, said this at the women in peace and security conference organised by UN Women, UNICEF and Norwegian Embassy in Abuja
However, she urged them to take part in peace processes for their rights and priorities to be adequately addressed.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Abagbogu, the minister said: “Women have been an integral part of the development in Nigeria. We cannot forget the contributions of women such as Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti who worked tirelessly with the men to ensure women peace and security.
“The Nigerian woman is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our future development as a nation. We are doing all that is practically possible to improve the situation of women and girls and indeed all Nigerians.
“This administration through actions and policies has expressed its desire in placing the country on the path of sustainable progress, where every woman and girls can better achieve her dreams.’’
She said the present administration was committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by putting measures in place designed to improve the quality of life for women and girls.
Alhassan said the measure includes special focus on sexual violence, integration and empowerment of women to enhance their dignity.
The Country Representative of UN Women, Ms Comfort Lamptey, called for gender sensitive legislative framework, saying the 49 women are appointed in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa following the advocacy on women inclusive government.
She however called for the need to pay attention to the protection of women and girls particularly in the Northern part of the country.
The Deputy Programme Manager, UN Women, Mr Peter Mancha, said for sustainable peace and development to be achieved in the country, all hands must be on deck.
“Peace is a global concern, when there is violence, everybody suffers and when we don’t invest in peace building, we spend more in peace keeping,’’ Mancha said.
The State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Norway, Ms Laila Bokhari, said the humanitarian challenges had affected women and girls in conflict areas.
She said human suffering was a complex and security threat which needs urgent attention.
The Minister of State, Budget and National, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, was represented by the Director of Social Development Department, Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, said the conference was apt at a time were issues of women tops national discuss.
She said the federal government was committed to security of girls due to their intervention, the Chibok girls were released.
Ahmed said it was important to dialogue on conflict issues as women and children were usually vulnerable, saying peace would not be achieved if the women are not carried along.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Abagbogu, who was also represented by the Director of Women and Gender, Mrs Anetu-Anne Aliu, said the conference brings together key national, state and community stakeholders to discuss the role of women and girls in peace building process.
She said the conference was also designed to feed into the implementation and dissemination plan for the National Action Plan on United Nations Security Conflict Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and other related resolutions. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Senate reassures on national unity

Senate reassures on national unity

NAN-H-66
Senate
Port Harcourt, Sept. 22, 2017 (NAN) The President of Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has reassured of the National Assembly’s (NASS) commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians live in peace without fear or intimidation.

Saraki said this in a paper presented at the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference and Extraordinary Convention on Friday in Port Harcourt.

He spoke on the theme: “Legislative Efforts and Focus on Pro-poor Issues: National Assembly Perspectives’’.

Represented by Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Saraki also assured that the NASS was alive and sensitive to its constitutional responsibilities and roles.

He said that the national assembly would continue to create the enabling environment to produce “the greatest access to opportunity in a united and prosperous nation’’ for generations yet unborn.

The president of the senate commended the editors “for the new path and direction’’ the forum had was carving for the journalism profession.

According to him, the media and indeed all Nigerian media is deeply involved in standing up against autocracy in whatever guise, a position shared by the Nigerian legislature.

He also listed efforts made by the Senate and NASS in general in shaping national development challenges in what he called very interesting time in Nigeria.

He said that the senate had considered more than 200 motions to date, while the senate received 150 public petitions and cleared 90 as against six petitions each by the seventh and sixth senate.

He said: “Interestingly, many of the issues cleared seek to relief Nigerians from bad policies, unjust decisions and actions that could further worsen the hardship of Nigerians.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2017 conference is “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business’’. (NAN)
JEO/DOE/MST
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

NASS, U.S. Congressmen meet on North East, security

NASS, US Congressmen meet on North East, security

NAN-H-67
Meeting
By Cecilia John
Abuja, Aug. 28, 2017 (NAN) The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has lauded efforts by the United States (U.S.) to help Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Saraki made this known after meeting with a U.S. Congressional Delegation on Monday in Abuja.
He said the meeting was centred on security, humanitarian crisis in the North East and ways to build a better working relationship between the parliaments of both countries.
“Today’s meeting was held to discuss ways to improve the relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria, securing greater support in the fight against terrorism and for the humanitarian crisis in different parts of the country.
“We also discussed improving agriculture in Nigeria and providing jobs for our people.
“I think the commitment that we have is that they have seen that there is a need to strengthen the institutional relationships between the legislatures of both our countries and that is very key,’’ he said.
On arms purchase from the U.S., Saraki said: “As you are aware, there is a new development that has happened in respect to the procurement of arms by the country.
“For the first time, the U.S. Government has agreed in principle to sell arms to Nigeria to help in our fight against insurgency. Of course, we will look into areas of human rights where there has always been a concern.
“We hope that following this visit, the sale of arms to our armed forces will now become a reality.
“This will represent a new chapter that we are opening, where the U.S. Government will be ready to sell arms to Nigeria and that will help to strengthen efforts of our armed forces in surveillance, intelligence and fight against terrorism.
“The commitment that they have made today is that terrorism is an issue that should not be left to Nigeria alone and if it means that we may need to secure new weapons from other countries, then it is an option that needs to be urgently explored.
“However, we will also continue to play our own role in the area of human rights.”
The president of the senate further said that the U.S. delegation expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future. (NAN)
CJM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Audio Attached: Women farmers association predicts bumper harvest in 2017

NAN-AE-8
Harvest
By Ginika Okoye
Abuja, July 25, 2017 (NAN) The Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has predicted bumper harvest across the country this farming season due to the improved security situation nationwide.

National President of the organization, Mrs Mary Afan, said this in Abuja on Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting involving small holder women farmers.

The meeting was to assess the participation and contribution of small holder women farmers to Value Chain Development Programmes in four states.

Afan said that the assessment would go a long way toward increasing farming, reducing production cost and boosting production.

Cue in audio (Afan)

“Why we are actually experiencing high cost of foodstuffs is because of insecurity.

“ I have a record of about four of my (our) women that were killed in the farm by unknown men when they were farming with their children.

“ Some women will have to hire boys to come and be guarding them while they work on the farms and they do it turn by turn (in turns).

“If they guard my own today and I farm today, tomorrow they will go to another person’s farm and you have to pay them.

“Then if you have to pay to buy security for you to be able to produce, how much will come and sell the crop so, it is a very serious issue.

“This farming season, by the grace of God, we are going to have more yields because the issue of insecurity has reduced.’’

Cue out audio

On access to fertiliser for women farmers, Afan commended the Plateau State Government for creating an environment that would enable small scale farmers in the state to access the chemical.

She, therefore, called for a reduction in the price of government approved price of fertilizer for women to encourage them.

“We buy fertiliser at the same government price that the men buy.

“So I am soliciting that if they are giving the men at government price for 50 per cent, the women should pay 40 or 35 per cent because the women don’t have the capacity to pay for the fertilizer like the men.

“And most of the time, when these government fertilisers come, they are jacked by some people who sell them in the open market.

 

“This makes it difficult for farmers to access it.’’
She said that SWOFON had built the capacity and skills of a significant number of rural women farmers to improve agricultural productivity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWOFON is a network of small holder women farmers established with the assistance of ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Trust Africa. (NAN)
GINI/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Health

Children’s Day: FIDA wants Judiciary, security agencies enforce laws

Children’s Day: FIDA wants Judiciary, security agencies enforce laws

NAN-H-16

Laws

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, May 27, 2017 (NAN) The International Federal of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Saturday called on the Judiciary and security agencies to enforce the implementation of laws protecting children in the country.

Mrs Inime Aguma, the Country Vice President of the association, made the appeal in a statement to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day in Abuja.

According to her, the Federal and State governments needs to look into the rights of children with the view to addressing the issues.

“Nigeria has enacted the Child Rights Act, 2003. We call upon those states that are yet to enact state Laws in line with this Act to do so.

“Those states that have Laws protecting Child Rights Act in place must ensure effective implementation.

“It is necessary as a country, signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1999, to ensure that the rights and welfare of our children,” she said.

Aguma said the event was to reflect on children’s education, growth, development, welfare, health and other issues affecting the Nigerian child.

She said the association had a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights and welfare of children in the country.

Aguma said the day was to re-examine if adults, parents, guardians and counsellors had played their role to ensure the wellbeing of the children.

“Reports from FIDA branches, partners and stakeholders and media across the country show that Nigerian children are still lagging behind in terms of having their basic needs met and their fundamental rights respected.

“In the northern part of Nigeria, a lot of children are out of school as a result of insecurity issues that ravaged the region.

“Many other children suffer from diseases such as malnutrition, meningitis, cholera, HIV, etc, as a result of poor health care,” she said.

Aguma said reports had shown greater number of children suffer sexual violence, abuse, domestic violence and torture on daily basis, while some are victims of human trafficking.

“As adults, parent and guardians, it is our duty to ensure that the children’s right are protected.

“We must increase our advocacy and awareness on the importance of respecting the rights of children.”

She called on members, partners and stakeholders to continue educating and sensitising the public on the Child Rights Act, 2003 and the VAPP Act 2015. (NAN)

OEO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola